ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Despite repeated calls not to vote for candidates allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, two barangay captains on the drug watchlist in this city were re-elected.

Keith Espinosa, chairman of Barangay Monica-Bluementritt in this city, won another term. She is the wife of former barangay kagawad Jesus Jr. who is detained at the Iloilo district jail in Pototan for illegal drugs.

Espinosa is facing charges of obstruction of justice, corrupt practices, grave misconduct and graft in connection with the arrest of her husband following a raid on their house in 2016.

Remia Prevendido-Gregori was proclaimed barangay captain of Bakhaw, Mandurriao. She is the sister of slain drug suspect Richard Prevendido. Her son is also detained on drug charges.

Gregori and Espinosa were among the barangay captains investigated by the provincial board for alleged proliferation of illegal drugs in their respective areas. They surrendered under Oplan Tokhang in 2016, but denied links with drug lords.

Gemma Calzado also won as kagawad of Barangay Kasing-Kasing in Molo district in this city. She is the only former village chief included on the updated watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, Western Visayas police chief, said they would monitor the activities of the newly elected barangay officials.

President Duterte is seeking common ground with Beijing on the planned joint exploration in Philippine waters and has not abandoned the 2016 arbitral court ruling favoring the Philippine position on the South China Sea, Malacañang told Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday.

Malacañang on Saturday slammed Vice President Leni Robredo for criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte’s openness to ignore the Philippines’ legal victory in the South China Sea and seal an energy deal with Beijing, saying she needs new advisers who can comprehend the maritime row.

The US Navy said that one of its destroyers had sailed close to the Chinese-controlled Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on Friday, asserting international freedom of navigation rights in the contested waters.

Under Philippine law, President Rodrigo Duterte does not have the authority to "set aside" the July 2016 ruling issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Supreme Court Senior Associate Antonio Carpio said.